Also, they’re blocking Turkey from attacking the Kurds. Turkey has talked about taking Mosul and Raqqa, but that’s done nothing to aid in the defeat of ISIS. However, they probably would mix it up with the Kurds if they could catch them between ISIS and themselves. So this move keeps the battle focused where it should be on defeating ISIS.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, AND the highest ranked Russian in uniform, just had a combined meeting with the highest Turkish military officer in Antalya.
I’m thinking that marks the limits of Turkey’s advance into Syria for now.
A lot of folks thought that the Turks were trying to distract forces from the Raqqa assault by attacking Manbij, and they definitely were trying to get to Raqqa themselves.
Now that the Syrian Arab Army has blocked the Turks, there is no more distraction, no more (covert) Turkish resupply will reach Raqqa, and there is no easy way out left for ISIS in Raqqa.
It’s Hammering Time!